A lottery winner traded a life of leisure for a dangerous criminal enterprise, building a sophisticated drug operation with his son. John Eric Spiby, who once enjoyed millions, ultimately found himself facing a lengthy prison sentence for a conspiracy that spanned years.
The operation began to significantly expand in 2021, culminating in a second, highly equipped laboratory established in Salford, valued at an estimated £210,000. This wasn’t a small-scale venture; it was a calculated and ambitious undertaking fueled by a desire for continued profit.
The drugs produced were sold for as little as 65p per tablet, yet the potential for massive returns was undeniable. A search of Spiby’s property revealed not only evidence of the drug production but also two firearms and ammunition, escalating the severity of the crimes.
Lee Drury, a 45-year-old associate, cleverly masked the illicit activity through his company, NutraInk, using it as a deceptive front to conceal the flow of money and materials. Over a period of just two years, between June 2020 and May 2022, the operation procured £200,000 worth of machinery and essential ingredients.
A pivotal moment arrived on April 2, 2022, when a substantial shipment of drugs was scheduled for delivery to a Manchester hotel. Drury, attempting to intercept the delivery, was met by waiting police officers, effectively dismantling a key component of the network.
The vehicle contained a staggering 2.5 million tablets, representing a wholesale value of £7 million and a potential street value of £67 million. This single seizure exposed the sheer scale of Spiby’s operation and the immense profits at stake.
Investigators discovered that over a 12-month period, the group had amassed an astonishing 37.5 million tablets. Despite this initial disruption, Spiby Senior, his son John Colin Spiby, Drury, and another associate, Callum Dorrian, stubbornly continued their criminal activities.
Encrypted messages revealed detailed discussions about sourcing raw materials and, crucially, plans to synthesize the drugs themselves – a move designed to dramatically increase their profit margins. The very recipe for the drugs was found on Drury’s phone, shared within the group chat alongside boasts of potential earnings.
The judge presiding over the case acknowledged Spiby Senior’s extensive criminal history and his central role in the conspiracy. He highlighted that Spiby, despite his lottery windfall, had chosen a life of crime even beyond a typical retirement age, providing premises and overseeing the acquisition of equipment.
Spiby Junior was described as heavily influenced by his upbringing, guided by the example of his millionaire criminal father. This familial connection underscored the insidious nature of the operation and the cycle of criminality it perpetuated.
The consequences were severe. John Eric Spiby received a 16-year and 6-month sentence for multiple charges, including conspiracy to produce controlled drugs, and conspiracy to possess firearms. His son, John Colin Spiby Junior, was sentenced to nine years, while Lee Drury received nine years and nine months.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even a life-altering stroke of luck cannot shield individuals from the consequences of choosing a path of criminality, and that the pursuit of illicit wealth often comes at a devastating price.
